Delta has renewed their status match challenge and, as before, it’s pretty darn generous. If you have elite status with a competing airline and have plans to fly Delta this year or next, this status match challenge is well worth considering. If you match early in the year and complete the challenge, you could get two full years of elite status!
Overview
Airline’s often offer status match challenges to encourage elite members of other airlines to book flights with them instead. A fairly standard approach is to offer the member elite status for a 3 month trial period and if that member completes the challenge requirements during that period, they’ll keep the matched status longer. Usually it makes sense to wait until July to start or complete a challenge because that’s the only way to make the status last more than a year. With Delta’s status match challenge, though, it makes sense to start the challenge as soon in the year as possible. If you complete the challenge requirements, your status will be good for the rest of 2025, all of 2026, and through January of 2027.
There are three components to Delta’s status match challenge:
- Request the match by submitting proof of elite status with another airline.
- If your request is approved, you’ll be granted matching status for 3 months.
- You can extend your status through January 31 2027 by earning enough MQDs through the status challenge period (3 months). Qualifying activity includes flights booked through Delta, vacations booked through Delta Vacations, and Delta Platinum or Delta Reserve credit card spend. Additionally, you must fly on at least one Delta-marketed flight during the Match Period (excluding Basic Economy).
Are you eligible?
In order to start this status match challenge, you must meet certain criteria (the following is copied from Delta’s website):
- You have not received a Status Match, promotional Medallion Status or complimentary Medallion Status in the past 3 years, unless the complimentary Medallion Status was through your Million Miler Status.
- You currently have elite status with a qualifying airline that was earned through that airline’s published requirements (complimentary status or status earned through a promotion does not qualify).
- You are able to present both 1) a valid, current elite physical or digital membership card or credential with your name on it and 2) a statement showing your earned elite status with an airline and the corresponding activity with that airline that made you achieve that Status, with your name on it (for both materials, you may upload a photo, screenshot of your app or computer screen or other file format as long as it clearly shows the required information, your elite status level and your name).
- You are a SkyMiles Member who 1) has been enrolled in the SkyMiles Program for at least 30 days prior to enrolling for the Status Match offer and 2) solely for non-U.S. based members, within the last 3 years as a SkyMiles Member have flown on at least 1 Delta-marketed flight on a fare class higher than Basic Economy.
The table below shows competing airline status levels and how they match to Delta elite status. For example, if you have Air Canada Aeroplan 25K or 35K status, you’ll match to Delta Silver. With American Airlines, AA Gold matches to Delta Silver, AA Platinum matches to Delta Gold, and AA Platinum Pro or higher matches to Delta Platinum.
| Silver | Gold | Platinum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Aeroplan Status | 25K and 35K | 50K | 75K and Super Elite |
| Air New Zealand Airpoints Status | Airpoints Silver | Airpoints Gold | Airpoints Elite |
| Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Status | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K and 100K |
| All Nippon Airways Mileage Club Status | Bronze | Platinum | Diamond |
| American Airlines AAdvantage Status | Gold | Platinum | Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, Concierge Key |
| Asiana Airlines Asiana Club Status | Gold | Diamond | Diamond Plus, Platinum |
| British Airways Executive Club Status | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
| Copa Airlines ConnectMiles Status | Silver | Gold | Platinum, Presidential Platinum |
| Japan Airlines Mileage Bank Fly On Status | Crystal | Sapphire | Premier, Diamond |
| JetBlue TrueBlue Status | N/A | Mosaic 1 | Mosaic 2, 3 & 4 |
| Lufthansa Miles & More Status | Frequent Traveler | N/A | Senator, HON Circle Members |
| Qantas | Silver | Gold | Platinum & Platinum One |
| South African Airways Voyager Status | Silver | Gold | Platinum, Lifetime Platinum |
| Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards | A-List | A-List Preferred | N/A |
| United Airlines Mileage Plus Status | Premier Silver | Premier Gold | Premier Platinum, Premier 1K, Global Services |
| Virgin Australia Velocity Status | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
If you have status with an airline (excluding Delta airline partners) that is not listed above but meet the participation criteria, you can still submit your request to participate in the Status Match Challenge. For example, Nick once had luck in matching from Spirit Gold status to Delta Gold.
Submit your request
A link to “Enroll Now” is at the top of Delta’s status match challenge page. Alternatively, you can use this link to jump to the enrollment page.
If your request is granted, your 3 month complementary status period will begin 24 hours after receiving email confirmation.
Challenge Requirements
If you would like to extend your status beyond the three month period, you’ll have to earn Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) based on which elite level you were granted:
- Silver: $1,250 MQDs
- Gold: $2,500 MQDs
- Platinum: $3,750 MQDs
Additionally, you must fly on at least one Delta-marketed flight during the Match Period (excluding Basic Economy).
How to Meet Challenge Requirements
You can earn MQDs to meet challenge requirements in three ways:
- Flights booked through Delta, including award flights (MQDs are awarded when the flights are completed).
- Vacation packages booked through Delta Vacations.
- Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve credit card spend (Platinum cards earn 1 MQD per $20; Reserve cards earn 1 MQD per $10).
One of the cool things about Delta’s status match challenge is that MQDs earned from credit card spend do count towards meeting the challenge requirements. Since Delta Reserve cards earn twice as many MQDs as Delta Platinum cards, you’ll want either the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
If you meet the challenge requirements entirely through Delta Reserve card spend, you’ll need the following amounts of spend to be completed within the 3 month trial period:
- Silver: $12,500
- Gold: $25,000
- Platinum: $37,500
In general, though, it won’t make much sense to start the challenge until you have Delta flights booked within the next three months. So, assuming you’ll earn MQDs from flying, the actual amount you would need to spend on a Delta Reserve card will be less than shown above. Additionally, the terms state that you must fly on at least one Delta-marketed flight during the Match Period (excluding Basic Economy) so it’s not really possible to do this 100% through card spend (but you can come very close).
One exception where it could make sense to complete a status match almost entirely through credit card spend is if you often book Delta flights using partner miles. For example, if you book Delta flights with Virgin Atlantic or Air France Flying Blue miles, you won’t earn MQDs on those flights. However, if you attach your SkyMiles number to those flights you will receive elite benefits (such as complementary upgrades) during your flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to sign up for this status match challenge?
Ideally you would sign up when you expect to fly Delta a lot within the next three months. Alternatively, if you have big spend planned on a Delta Reserve credit card, that could be a good time too.
It is no longer preferable to wait until July to sign up or to complete a challenge.
Do award flights earn qualifying MQDs for meeting the challenge?
Yes. If you book award flights with your Delta miles, you’ll earn MQDs upon completing those flights. MQDs are earned based on the number of miles spent (1 MQD per 100 miles). For example, if you spend 25,000 miles on an award flight, you’ll earn $250 MQDs.
Do Basic Economy flights count?
No. Basic Economy tickets do not earn MQDs.
I already had Delta flights booked before starting the challenge. Now that the challenge has started, do I need to rebook for those flights to count?
No. Travel booked before starting the challenge will still count as long as the flights are flown and completed during the span of the challenge.
Do credit card MQD Headstarts count?
No. Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve cardholders get $2,500 MQD “Headstarts” per card per year, but these Headstarts do not count towards meeting the status match challenge.
If I fail to complete the extension requirements, can I qualify for a lower level of status?
Yes. For example, if you are matched to Platinum status, but only achieve the MQDs required for extending Silver or Gold status during the trial period, you will be given Silver or Gold status for the remainder of the calendar year, all of the next year, and through January of the year after that.
Can I extend a higher level of status than I was matched to?
No. If you are matched to Silver or Gold status, you cannot earn a higher level of status by meeting higher level requirements.
Can I leapfrog to a higher level of status?
No. Some ask whether being matched to Gold status (for example) will get them closer to earning Platinum status. Or whether matching to Platinum status will get them closer to Diamond status. The answer to that is no. To earn a level of status higher than your match, you must still meet the full requirements for that status level. That said, any MQDs earned towards meeting the status challenge do count towards your quest to earn the next level of status.
If I’m matched to Delta Platinum will I get Choice Benefits?
Yes, but only after meeting the challenge requirements for extending your status. Read about Delta’s Choice Benefits here.
What are the benefits you get with Delta elite status?
| SILVER | GOLD | PLATINUM | DIAMOND | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles per dollar earned on paid flights | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 |
| Free domestic upgrades to 1st Class | Begins 24 hours before departure | Begins 72 hours before departure | Begins 120 hours before departure | Begins 120 hours before departure |
| Free domestic upgrades to Comfort+ | 24 hours before departure | 72 hours before departure | Shortly after ticketing | Shortly after ticketing |
| CLEAR membership discount price | $159 | $159 | $159 | Free |
| Dedicated phone line | Priority | High Priority | Higher Priority | VIP Line |
| Free companion upgrades | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Free preferred seat selection | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Waived bag fees | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Waived same day confirmed or standby change fees | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Sky Priority boarding | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Sky Priority expedited checked bags | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Sky Team lounge access on international flights | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Hertz elite status | Five Star | Five Star | President's Circle | President's Circle |
| Waived change & cancellation fees regardless of route | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| 2025 Choice Benefits | Choose 1: | Choose 3: | ||
| Upgrade certificates | 4 Regional | 4 Global (or 8 Regional or 2 Global & 4 Regional) | ||
| Statement Credits (for Delta Platinum and Reserve Cardholders) | $400 | $700 | ||
| Starbucks® Rewards Stars | 6,000 Stars | 6,000 Stars | ||
| Delta Sky Club Individual Membership | N/A | Requires 2 Choices | ||
| Delta Sky Club Executive Membership | N/A | Requires 3 Choices | ||
| MQD Accelerator | $1,000 MQDs | $2,000 MQDs | ||
| Gift medallion status | 2 Silver | 2 Gold | ||
| Bonus miles | 30K | 35K | ||
| Delta Vacations Flight + Hotel Cert | $400 | $500 | ||
| Sustainable Aviation Fuel Contribution | $250 | $250 | ||
| Delta Travel Voucher | $300 | $350 | ||
| Wheels up flight credit | $1,500 | $2,000 |
- Unlimited complimentary upgrades (when available, upgrade from coach to first class on domestic flights). Higher status leads to better chance of upgrades.
- Waived same-day confirmed fees and waived same-day standby fees (switch to different flight on same day as ticketed flight). Requires Gold or higher. Info about getting value from same day changes can be found here: Leveraging Delta’s Same Day Flight Changes.
- Complementary Preferred seat selection (choose exit row seats with lots of legroom)
- Complementary Comfort+ Seats (more leg room, free drinks, better snacks).
- Regional upgrade certificates. While these rarely confirm before the flight, waitlisting a regional upgrade puts you to the front of the line for upgrading at the gate. This is great to use for flights where upgrades are most important to you. For example, I use these for flights of about 3 hours or longer. This is a choice benefit for Platinum and Diamond status. Upgrade certificates can be applied to both paid and award tickets.
- Global upgrade certificates. Use these to upgrade from economy to Premium Select, or from Premium Select to business class on any flight when upgrade space is available. When you upgrade from economy to Premium Select, Delta will put you on the business class (Delta One) upgrade list 24 hours before your flight. This is a choice benefit for Diamond status only. Upgrade certificates can be applied to both paid and award tickets.
- Free award changes and cancellations. This used to be huge, but now all awards originating in North America are free to change or cancel for all members. With Platinum and Diamond status, that benefit extends to flights originating elsewhere. Requires Platinum or higher for free changes on awards originating outside of North America.
What is the difference between the requirements for extending matched status and earning status outright?
When earning Delta elite status from scratch, all MQD earnings count (including $2,500 MQD Headstarts from each Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve card you have) and you have the full calendar year in which to earn the required MQDs.
Delta’s 2025 status match requirements:
In each case, the challenge requirements are exactly one fourth of the usual requirements. That makes sense since the challenge period (3 months) is one forth of a year.
Requirements for earning Delta elite status from scratch in 2025 for the 2026 elite year:
To reach each elite tier, Delta SkyMiles members must earn the stated number of MQDs shown above. MQDs reset each calendar year. MQDs = "Medallion Qualifying Dollars." Medallion Qualifying Dollars are the sum total of your base-fare spend (e.g. doesn't include taxes) on Delta-marketed flights. Additional Details:
- Award Tickets: Flights booked with Delta SkyMiles for Delta's own flights earn MQDs. Award tickets earn MQDs at a rate of 1 MQD per 100 SkyMiles redeemed (e.g. 1 cent per SkyMile).
- Partner Flights: Paid flights booked on Delta partners earn MQDs as long as the member's Delta SkyMiles number is attached to the ticket. MQDs are calculated as a percentage of miles flown rather than the amount paid. Details, by partner, can be found here.
- Exception Fares: Flights booked as part of vacation packages, cruise packages, consolidator fares, etc. are considered "exception fares". With these flights, you'll earn miles based on the distance flown. Details can be found here.
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How long does Delta typically take to respond to status match applications? I know the site says up to 15 business days but I’m hoping to use it for a trip on Jan 20.
As someone who has status with DL, this is nothing more than a marketing ploy. Delta just released some staggering statistics that is not surprising considering I fly them lots, but it’s bad news for anyone who has their AMEX cards and those with this supposed status: Delta sells 88% of their premium seats – SELLS, not gives away. The other fun fact is that there are literally millions of folks with status ALL vying for that 12% of unsold seats, meaning ultra few actually get anything out of their ‘status.’ 12% of unsold premium seats equates to what? Maybeeeee 1-2 seats up for grabs? Meanwhile there’s 50 people on the upgrade list. It’s all a sham folks. Save your money and just fly whomever fits your budget and schedule. The days of airline loyalty are most definitely longggg gone. It’s just the reality of things.
I completed the challenge last year, matching my AA Platinum Pro status and receiving Platinum Medallion status. I was under the impression the status would be valid till January 2026. However, the Delta page shows the status being valid thru: Jan 31 2025. Will it actually expire on this date or will a new expiration date of January 2026 automatically update at the beginning of February? Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light on this!
I have a Virgin marketed, Delta operated, long-haul business class ticket booked for next week (JFK-DSS)
I have asked Delta several times to calculate the MQD’s and their estimate is $910. I have repeatedly mentioned that this is partner marketed flight and they still say this is all I would earn.
This is a Virgin Z fare. It should calculate at 30% of distance flown or $2297 MQD’s??
This gets me almost to Gold so I did apply for the match but I’m worried about the crediting of these flights. I don’t have any experience with Delta partners.
You’re correct, it will earn per the Virgin chart (distance-based).
Thank you. That is even what their website says but the agents refuse to read it.
Do exception fares count towards the status match requirements?
I think so
Confused on Delta Vacation spend applying towards MQDs – do I need to use a Delta credit card to pay? And does it need to be prepaid, or can I just book a hotel through the Delta Vacation portal and pay later with any random credit card? Thanks!
It doesn’t matter how you pay in order to earn MQDs through Delta Vacations but you won’t earn them until after your trip
Hi Greg: Looks like a nice opportunity. I have United Premier Silver thanks to my Marriott Lifetime Titanium status. Can I use that for this status match?
Technically no, because of this requirement: “You currently have elite status with a qualifying airline that was earned through that airline’s published requirements (complimentary status or status earned through a promotion does not qualify).”
That said, I think it is likely to work anyway so give it a try and let us know what happens
Can you please guide me here, I have Flying Blue Silver expiring this April. Can I status match this to any other airlines to get their Silver status ?
On the StatusMatcher.com website some people report success matching to Royal Jordanian and Turkish: https://statusmatcher.com/company/air-france
Delta is clearly the winner in this status match promo. It actually makes sense to be able to match from the beginning of the year vs. July as it can potentially mean more profit during the first 6 months and not just the last 6.